Chemical analyzer tape



July 19, 1966 s. NATELSON 3,261,658

CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE Filed Aug. 14, 1962' 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR July 19, 1966 s. NATELSON CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 INVENTOR 5 IMUEL N475: so/v July 19, 1966 s. NATELSON CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 14. 1962 INVENTOR Sim/EL Nam-45ml.

ATTORNEY July 19, 1966 s. NATELSON 3,261,658

CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE Filed Aug. 14, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BY MW W ATTORNEY July 19, 1966 s. NATELSON 3,

CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE Filed Aug. 14. 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 19, 1966 s. NATELSQN 3,261,668

CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE Filed Aug. 14, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I07 fi F- wATER REPELLANT covER SAMPLE RECEIVING TAPE I02 INTERMEDIATE TAPE EI05 TEST TAPE n BAG OF SOLVENT REPELLANT MATERIAI. STAP=E WATER REPELLANT covER SAM UEL NATELSON INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 19, 1966 s. NATELSON 3,261,663

CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE Filed Aug. 14, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 BLANK @s MPLE 1 $8 I A DARD 1 FIG.9

DARD

INTERMEDIATE TAPE TEST TAPE SAM UEL N ATELSON INVENTOR flwye 3 @Zwfi? ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,261,668 CHEMICAL ANALYZER TAPE Samuel Nateison, Valley Stream, N.Y., assignor to Scientific Industries, line, Springfield, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 216,845 6 Claims. (Cl. 23-253) The present patent application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application, Serial No. 155,882, filed November 17, 1-961 and now abandoned, which application is in turn a division of U.S. patent application, Serial No. 14,894, filed March 14, 1960, now U.S. Patent No. 3,036,- 893.

This invention relates to the chemical analysis of substances, and more particularly to a method and apparatus tor the automatic continuous analysis of substances.

The chemical laboratory is often faced with the problem of the analysis of large numbers of samples. This is time consuming and tedious to the operator, often resulting in error due to the large number of samples being assayed and the close attention one must pay to each step of the procedure. The fatigue which sets in often results in errors being introduced. In many cases, several operators are required to finish the work of the day.

To relieve this condition, instruments have been introduced which automatically sample the material to be analyzed, add reagents, and go through elaborate processes both as regards procedure and instrumentation to perform the analyses automatically. These devices are cumbersome, elaborate and are expensive to produce. Thus, only certain laboratories can afford the expense of these instruments. In addition, the operator must be skilled in handling the equpiment as regards setting up the instrument and adjusting it when something goes wrong. These present instruments require appreciable amounts of material for analysis and do not lend themselves readily to adaptation for the analysis of ultramicro samples of the order of microliters. Furthermore, in the instruments presently used, the sample and reagents are pumped in the instrument in liquid form so that an appreciable quantity of sample is needed.

Although attempts were made to overcome the [foregoing difiiculties and other difliculties and disadvantages, none, as far as I am aware was entirely .successful when carried into practice commercially.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which does not require liquid reagents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is easy to operate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which permits multiple analysis of several constituents simultaneously.

This invention also contemplates providing a device which is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is also the purpose of the invention to provide a device which can handle ultramicro samples.

The invention likewise contemplates providing a device which is rapid and capable of turning out a result in as short a time as twenty seconds or even less, once the instrument has started to run.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which is versatile, without changing to elaborate equipment during intermediate stages of the operation.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates providing a device which is reliable, having a minimum number of easily repairable parts.

Among the further objects of the present invention is the provision of a device which can do highly colored solutions, e.g., hemoglobin, when the color does not readily pass through a membrane.

3,261,668 Patented July 19, 1966 With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel arrangement .and combination of parts, in the details of construction, and in the process steps hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing [from the spirit of the invention.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, showing by way Otf example, preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view of one embodiment of the apparatus contemplated herein;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the left hand portion of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the right hand portion of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;

!FIG. 4 is a longitudinal view of another embodiment of -a portion of the apparatus depicted in FIG. -1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sample dispenser which may be advantageously used with the apparatus depicted in :FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of one of the inventive arrangements contemplated herein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows an apparatus used with the arrangement of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows another arrangement contemplated herein. The invention in its broader aspects contemplates an automatic apparatus for the continuous analysis of substances which are in a dispense-r adapted to aspirate, drop, or blow a sample of the substance on the apparatus. Generally speaking, the apparatus is adapted to process 'a first moving tape for receiving the sample; a moving test tape to which the sample will be transferred and upon which tape said sample or samples will be subjected to treatment for analysis; and, a moving intermediate porous tape through which the sample to be analyzed will have to pass in order to reach the test tape. To this end, the apparatus 10 provides an input zone 11 Where the sample is placed on a sample receiving tape; a transfer and reaction zone .12 where the sample is transferred from the sample receiving tape to the test tape, through the intermediate tape; a tape separation zone -13 where means are provided for the separation of the various tapes, this zone usually includes take up means to take up the sample receiving tape and the intermediate tape; a treating zone 14 where the test tape is subjected to treatment for analyzing the sample; a reading zone 15, where the treated tape is read; and, a terminal zone 16 where the test tape is taken up. Driving means are also provided to drive the tapes either at a constant rate or intermittently.

The reason for using a plurality of tapes will become apparent in connection with the explanation of the operation of the device given after the following detailed description of the apparatus.

The samples to be tested or analyzed are contained in a dispenser 17, a preferred embodiment of which is depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawing. The principal requirement of the dispenser is that it can either drop or blow small measured quantities of the sample at a desired place on the apparatus.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the sample from the dispenser 17 will be received on a sample receiving tape 18. Advantageously, this tape will have been pretreated so that the dropping of the sample on the tape will form confined spots 19. Confined spots are formed by forming rings of water repellent material, e.g., wax or plastic on filter paper. When a sample is dropped in such a ring, the spot formed by the sample will be confined to the area inside the ring, and, uniformity of the spot is thus obtained.

The sample receiving tape 18 is usually contained on a pay off, e.g., sample receiving tape pay off roller 20. For convenience, no supporting means are shown for any of the numerous rollers or reels herein described, it being of course well understood that such supporting means are provided.

To receive the sample, there is provided a sample receiving plate 28, having guide means 29, and it is towards this sample receiving plate 28 that the sample from dispenser 17 will be directed, e.g., blown, dropped or aspirated. In order to avoid any contamination of the sample which will be placed on the sample receiving tape, a horseshoe shaped recess may be provided in the sampling plate at the spot where the sample is placed on the tape. Thus, in this embodiment, the plate serves only as a support, and the sample itself never touches the plate. To further insure accuracy in the placing of the sample on the tape, a sample receiving tape idler roller 31 may be provided. This will prevent the tape from having any crimps or bumps and aids in the uniformity of the sample spot placed on the tape.

As illustrated in the drawing, at this portion of the apparatus, the sample receiving tape travels backwards, i.e., counter to the direction of travel of the other tapes. After passing the station where the sample receiving plate is located, the sample receiving tape 18 goes over a reversing roller 31a which will place the confined spot and sample thereon face dawn. As the confined spot 19 with a sample thereon has a tendency to bulge at the center, this reversal of the tape, i.e., having the confined spot which received the sample in a face up position turned around to a face down position, will greatly facilitate the eventual transfer of the sample placed on the sample receiving tape 18 to a test tape 21. When advantageous to the tests being conducted, this test tape 21 may also contain a reagent. Test tape 21 also comes on a pay off, e.g., test tape pay off roller 22. Sandwiched in between the sample receiving tape 18 and the test tape 21 is an intermediate tape 23. This tape must be porous, the degree of porosity will depend on the sample tested and on the treatment to which the sample is subjected. For proteins, total lipids, mucoproteins etc. where larger molecules are being assayed, the porosity of the tape must be increased to allow these molecules to go through. Likewise, the degree of porosity of the tape may also be used as an effective means for separating components of the samples being tested.

The intermediate tape pay off means, e.g., roller 24 is located in a water tank 25 having sufficient water 25a to keep the intermediate tape wet or fairly moist. In this connection, an intermediate tape made of cellophane has been found particularly useful for certain hospital laboratory analysis, e.g., sugar, urea, calcium, uric acid, creatinine, and amino acids where it is desired to prevent proteins from reaching the test tape.

These three tapes, i.e., the sample receiving tape 18, the intermediate tape 23, and the test tape 21 are all directed towards a pair of spring loaded rollers 27 located at the entrance of the transfer and reaction zone 12. The function of these rollers is to bring the three tapes into close contact so that the sample can be transferred from the sample receiving tape to the test tape through the intermediate tape. Just as the sample receiving plate 28 and roller 31a have recesses so as to avoid contamination of the sample, so do the spring loaded rollers 27 likewise have a recess 32. This principle of recessed parts may be carried out throughout the apparatus of this particular embodiment.

The tapes now enter a transfer and treating zone 12 which is completely enclosed in enclosure 33, preferably made of transparent plastic, and advantageously having a door 34. This door is to facilitate adjustment or repairs and can be a simple affair held by hinges 35. Naturally the entire enclosure need not be transparent, just so long as the operator can see what goes on inside the enclosure and make certain that the device is functioning properly. Inside the transfer zone is a fairly large drum 36. The bottom portion of the enclosure 33 has continuously flowing water 38 which keeps the drum wet. A circulating pump 39 is provided to keep the water moving, and, a sponge or sponges 40 are provided to aid in washing and wetting the drum. It is while moving through this zone that the material to be tested is transferred from the sample receiving tape to the test tape through the intermediate tape. At the transfer zone exit, there may be provided an idler 41 to facilitate the passage of the tapes out of the zone. From the transfer zone 12, the tapes pass to the tape separation zone 13. Since this is the end of the line for two of the tapes, driving means are provided in this zone. These driving means may be either belting, or a driving motor 42 through which the tapes pass. A separate switch may be provided for this motor if desired. The motor may drive one of the loaded rollers 43 by a gear 45 and a pinion 46 or other driving means may be used. Thus, at this stage, the sample receiving tape is wound on sample receiving tape take up roller 47 and the intermediate tape is wound on a corresponding roller 43. Both of these rollers are depicted in the drawing as belt driven, i.e., belt 49 drives the sample receiving tape take up reel and belt 50 the intermediate tape take up roller. The test tape however is not taken up at this stage but passes on to treating zone 14 through treating zone entrance rollers 51 having the usual recesses 52. The treating zone illustrated in the drawing comprises a chamber 53 in which there is provided heating means 54. Advantageously, a thermometer 55 may also be provided in chamber 53 which of course is preferably transparent, or partially so. To increase the travel time in this zone, the construction of the chamber may be elongated and may have one or more idlers 56 to change the course of travel of the test tape through the zone.

Additional equipment may also be provided in this zone, either in the chamber as shown in the drawing, such as a fan 57 and air Vents 58 all of which of course may be adjustable. In designing the equipment, the idler rollers 56 in the zone may be removable and so disposed that the addition or removal of these rollers in the zone fixes the travel time in the zone each particular disposition of these rollers in the zone causing the tape to travel in the zone a predetermined time period. It has also been found particularly useful to have a washing station in the zone adapted to wash the excess reagent or sample from the test tape. This is a simple affair and may comprise a water tank with guide rollers guiding the tape in and out of the tank. The tank may of course have either a pump or spraying means or both. The test tape 21 leaves the treating zone along an idler 59 at zone exit 69. The test tape now enters the reading zone 15 where the results of the test or analysis will be read on a densitometer 61. An appropriate light filter 62 acting in combination with a light source 65 is on one side of the tape, and a photo cell 64 is on the other side. The action of the light on the densitometer will be plotted on graph paper 65 which shows the peaks 66 made by pen 67. This type of densitometer 61 is known in the art.

The test tape has now served its purpose and has come to the end of its road. It therefore enters terminal zone 16 which comprises a pair of spring loaded take up means 68 preferably driven by gearing 69 from a motor '76 operated by a switch 71 although of course other drive, e.g., belting may be used. The test tape finally winds up on take up reel 72 shown in the drawing as being rotated by belting 73. The drive for the device should be such that by proper adjustment, it should be both continuously driving the rollers or intermittently driving the rollers. Usually, when the sample from dispenser 17 is being dropped on the sample receiving tape over the sample receiving plate, or even when blown or dropped thereon by the operator, the tapes are moving at the intermittent rate, allowing the sample to drop on the tape while the tape is not moving. However, after one or a series of samples have been dropped, the operator may wish to move the tape along for some distance before starting a new series of tests with other samples. It is thus preferable for the operator to be able to advance the tape continuously by pressing a button or switch which will change the intermittent drive to continuous drive.

For certain tests, a simpler type of transfer and reaction ZOne may be used as shown in FIG. 4. With this particular embodiment, it is preferable to use a special type of sample receiving tape and test tape. This sample receiving tape 18a and test tape have an undercoating of plastic, e.g., polyethylene. This is readily done merely by spraying the tape. By undercoating of course is meant a coating on the side opposite to the side where there are rings for the confined spots in the sample receiving tape and one one side only of the test tape. Since this undercoating will prevent contamination of the sample, recessed plates, rollers and other elements are not required. Furthermore, a tape having the undercoating described will have a greatly increased wet strength. As previously, the three tapes, i.e., sample receiving tape 180, test tape 21a and intermediate tape 23a are directed towards spring loaded rollers 27a located at the entrance of transfer and reaction Zone 12a. No recesses are provided since a polyethylene backed tape is used. The transfer and reaction zone in this embodiment comprises a pair of opposed flat plates 74a and 74b. Preferably, heating means 75d and 75b may be provided to heat each plate. Spring means 76 tend to keep the plates apart, and an eccentric roller 77 periodically presses down on the three tapes and the top plate. At the end of the zone, rollers 78a and 781) may either guide or pull the tapes into the tap-e separation zone. In connection with this embodiment, the preferred means for backing the tape is with polyethylene. However, extreme heat cannot be used in either of the zones because of the polyethylene. Thus, although this second embodiment has the advantage of being simpler and more compact than the first embodiment described, it requires a special tape which may not work as well under heat above that at which the plastic softens as the first embodiment.

In connection with the devices just described, it is advantageous to have associated therewith a sample dispenser 17, preferably driven by the same driving means as are used to drive the device. The dispenser should be releasable or detachable from the device to permit manually feeding the sample receiving tape. The dispenser includes circular positioning means 79 on which a plurality of holders 8% are mounted near the edge of the positioning means by pivot means 81. In each holder 80, there is provided a bed 82 made of rubber or other resilient material into which a capillary tube 83 is inserted through a slit 84. Spring means 85 keep the beds with the tubes therein in the horizontal position. At one point over the positioning means an adjustable cam 86 is provided. This cam is not fastened to the positioning means but to the frame of the dispenser which is not shown in the drawing. One end 86a of the cam will engage one of the tube holders 80 as it comes around on the posi tioning means and gradually force it and the tube inside to a vertical position as the tube holder reaches the cam other end 86b. It is under this point on the cam that the sample receiving tape 18 with the confined spots 19 passes. Over this point in the device there is provided air pressure means 87 which will blow on the capillary tube and force the sample onto the sample receiving tape confined spot. This air pressure means is lifted as the capillary moves into position and lowers to touch the capillary when air pressure is applied. A porous rubber sheet covering the air outlet permits contact with the capillary without danger of breaking it. In one variation, a vacuum is applied by a similar tube underneath the sample receiving tape and aspirating air through the paper causes the sample to adhere to the paper. In practice, circular positioning means capable of holding fifty capillaries can be constructed. When the capillary tubes have been inserted in the horizontal position they can be rapidly filled by simply touching the sample to the tip of the capillary. It then runs right to the other end of the tube. For most tests, capillary tubes of between 0.2 and 0.5 mm. bore and capable of containing from 0.01 to 0.05 ml. are preferable. But, in some cases, capillary tubes of less than 0.1 mm. bore are used.

Although the foregoing explanation is sufiicient to understand the operation of the components of the devices herein contemplated, it is believed that additional explanation is required to clarify the reason for using the components described, particularly the combination of the three separate tapes. Since assuredly there is no reason to use three tapes if one could do the job. As already explained at the beginning of this patent specification, tape devices, particularly Where paper tapes are employed have heretofore not been considered suitable for quantitative chemical analysis of substances. This is because of the irregular spot formation. Obviously, the reading means, e.g., densitometer 61 has no way of distinguishing between even and uneven spots. Furthermore, if the components of the sample drop or specimen are not properly or uniformily distributed, visual study of the curves and peaks recorded by the densitometer is impossible. If two spots containing the same components are distributed over an equal area but in a different manner, the densitometer recording device will record two different curves. The areas of each curve will be precisely the same, but the peak height of one curve will be different from the other. Electronically, both spots can be read properly and correct results obtained, but visual comparison is of course impossible.

The need for the three separate tapes can be understood from the following observation. When a drop of water is dropped on a piece of paper which has been impregnated with a colored reagent which is water soluble, the water will spread. In so doing, it will dissolve the reagent and move it away from the center where the water has been dropped. On drying, a ring will be observed. The center of the ring will be white, where the reagent has been washed away. The outer ring will be dark where the reagent has been concentrated. For this reason, it is impractical to perform a quantitative test by dropping a test solution on a reagent paper. If attempted, one would obtain a thin ring surrounding the area of application. When sent through a densitometer, the densitometer will read in error. The center of the spot will allow too much light to go through since it is clear. The ring concentration will be underestimated since light will not pass the high concentration of color in the ring. Thus, whether there is a certain amount or whether there is twice that amount in the ring, the maximum absorption of light will have been reached and the amount will be underestimated, When the sample is applied through a porous tape with minute pores, submicroscopic droplets of test solution are evenly distributed over the reagent paper. This results in an even distribution of reagent and test solution. The colored product of such a reaction, after drying can be accurately estimated by the densitometer.

The need for confined spots can be understood from the following observations: When samples containing 20 ,ul. of human blood serum and water are placed on a paper tape, the serum will spread normally to about 17 mm. and the water to about 20 mm. For this reason, aqueous solutions cannot be compared with serum. The same quantity of serum or water can be confined in a confined spot circle of about 15 mm. diameter. The 15 mm. spot keeps them spread equally and distributes their contents over an equal area when they are allowed to evaporate. When the water contains a measured amount of sugar, the sugar content of the serum can be compared with the sugar content of the water. The confining circles can be made of wax, polyethylene, glyptal resin, urea formaldehyde resin, C-oil polymer or other suitable plastic that is hydrophobic.

In view of the foregoing, three tapes are provided in the present instrument. The first tape is absorbent and has confined spots. To prevent the spot from buldging after the sample has been placed thereon, or to direct the efiect of any bulge properly, the tape is reversed, i.e., the top side where the sample has been placed is placed on the bottom. This tape has been termed herein the sample receiving tape. Next there is a porous tape with a multiplicity of microscopic to submicroscopic holes through which the samples from the confined spots is passed. Last, is the tape containing the reagent on which the sample makes a multiplicity of small spots which to the eye and densitometer appear as one even spot. Attention is directed to the fact that as used herein, the term porous or porosity refers to porous or porosity for the purposes herein stated, the degree of porosity varying according to the test to be performed. The rendering of a cellophane tape more porous is simple. The subjecting of a cellophane tape to the action of a spark discharge Wlll produce an excellent intermediate tape useful for those tests where larger molecules are being analyzed. For small molecules the untreated cellophane or thin parchment is used.

Where single determinations are required such as on a patient in a physicians office, it is advantageous to use strips of tape prepared as individual pads shown in FIG. 6. Here, three flat mediums or tapes are shown as individual strips stapled together by a staple 101 (see also FIG. 7). The sample receiving tape 1112, the intermediate tape 103 and the test tape 104 are thus retained sand- Wich fashion by staple 101. The sample receiving tape is shown with a confined spot circle 105 on the top of the tape although it may also be placed on the bottom. The test tape which usually contains a reagent is encased m a solvent-repellant polyethylene bag 1% and the entire assembly is covered by a water-repellant cover 107. The operation of this pad can best be understood from a description of the operation performed.

The patients finger is stuck in the conventional manner and a drop of blood is taken up in a calibrated capillary or pipet such as a Sahli pipet. The outside tip of the pipet is wiped and the blood is touched to the center of the paper of the sample receiving tape strip. The blood drains on to the paper completely by capillarity and as illustrated, a confined spot is advantageously used for greater accuracy, although it is not necessary for approximate results. The porous intermediate tape layer is not wetted but the bottom test tape paper strip is moistened with a reagent or already has a reagent thereon. When determinations are made, it may or may not be necessary to turn over the sample receiving tape strip paper. Very often, the sample will permeate right through the tape so that the reversal of the tape strip is unnecessary. The pores of the intermediate porous tape strip are controlled so that for determinations like sugar and urea, only substances of low molecular weight can pass. For protein estimation, a pore size is chosen so as to allow the proteins through but not allow the red cells to pass. For the analysis of substances such as aqueous solutions or human serum, the test tape may also be dry but impregnated with reagent. In this case, moisture is supplied from the sample. For shipment, the reagent-containing test tape is encased in a polyethylene container so that the solvent does not evaporate. This reagent-containing test tape strip is kept in a separate bag which is torn open just before use and inserted below the intermediate porous tape. When the three tape strips are assembled and sold as part of a pad, the bag is torn and removed 'just before use.

After the blood has been placed on the sample receiving tape or strip of the pad, the pad is placed in a pressing device 108 shown in FIG. 8. Pressing device 198 has a base block 109 and a lid 110. Lid 110 has a bottom 111 with springs 112 between the lid and the lid bottom. Thus, when the lid is closed tightly, pressure is applied between the lid bottom and the base block. The lid and base block are joined by a hinge 113 having a hinge spring 114 tending to keep the lid open. The lid is closed with a hook 115 engaging a rod 116. The hook tends to remain engaged to the rod because of hook spring 117 but is connected to an electromagnetic solenoid 118 which is actuated by a timer 119. At a preset time, timer 119 will energize the electromagnet and release the hook from engagement with the rod. Base block 109 includes heating means (not shown) responsive to plug 120 and has a recessed thermometer 121 thereon. A convenient time for pressing is from three to fifteen minutes depending on the test performed. In many determinations it is preferable to maintain the temperature at 37 C. while for other determinations, temperatures up to 120 C. are useful where heat is required to develop the color on the test tape strip.

After the present time, the pad is removed from the device and the test tape strip is dried in air or in a 100 air bath which also serves to stop the reaction. While reading can be done while moist, it is preferableto dry the test tape paper strip because variations in the moisture content will give variable results.

When marketing the pads for individual determinations, a color chart can be provided with the assembled pad to enable the physician to make visual color comparison thus obtaining an approximate estimate of the value of the substance assayed. This serves as a screening test or check of the more accurate results read in a colorimeter. After this preliminary visual inspection, the test tape strip can be placed through a recording colorimeter or spectrophotometer, i.e., colorimeter 15 of FIG. 1, or it can be read directly. If read directly, the ammeter should be calibrated directly in concentration such as sugar in mg./ 100 ml. The colorimeter can be a dual beam device where a circular beam of light passes through a portion of the test tape strip where no color has developed as a blank and a similar beam passes through the developed spot. The ratio of the two beams coming through is then measured on an ammeter of the colorimeter, When a single beam instrument is used, the instrument is first zeroed by a blank piece of tape strip of the same composition as the test tape strip and the test tape strip containing the developed spot is then inserted in the colorimeter. The ammeter then reads directly in concentration or in optical density or in percentage of transmission.

For accurate analysis, it is advantageous to run a standard or several standards with a single unknown specimen. In this case, a tape strip is used of sufiicient length to hold more than three specimens. Or, individual round confined spot discs of about inch diameter are used. The moistened reagent-containing test tape is placed under the porous intermediate tape. On top of the porous intenmediate tape, a plurality of individual discs are distributed. These individual discs serve as the sample receving tape and unlike the confined spot circles which form part of a tape, these individual discs do not require a border. The sample of blood or other fluid to be analyzed is added to the discs from a pipet. An amount of the order of 20 lmicroliters is suitable for this purpose. The sample wets and spreads out on the disc until it reaches the end of the paper. The paper expands in all directions. In effect, a confined spot is formed with the added advantage that the sample receivmg tape is allowed to expand freely. Pressure is applied as before and the spot is developed on the reagentcontaining test tape which is read as before. The standards are placed on a plurality of discs and a blank disc is also provided. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 9 where confined spot discs of filter paper have been spaced on the intermediate cellophane tape strip under which a filter paper test tape strip, moistened by the desired reagent for a particular test has been placed. This assembly is transferred to the device of FIG. 8 for pressing and incubation. The intermediate tape cellophane strip is then lifted and discarded along with the sample receiving filter paper discs. The test tape is dried and the spots formed are read on the colorimeter.

For the purpose of giving those skilled in the art a better understanding of the invention, the following illustrative examples are given:

GENERAL PROCEDURE USED Twenty microliters of the sample mentioned, e.g., blood serum or blood were added to the confined spot. This is done either by blowing the sample from an ultramicro pipet and touching it to the spot or from an automatic device as shown in the drawing. The instrument is started and travels a short distance, about 1 /2 inches and stops. A second sample is then blown or dropped on the spot. This continues until .all the samples have been added. The instrument continues to move until the test strip emerges with the samples thereon which have moved through the intermediate tape and been processed and spots are read.

TAPE CONSTRUCTION The top tape is made of paper in some tests and cotton cloth in others, about 1 /2 inches wide. The top tape is also backed with polyethylene by spraying in some tests. The center tape is made of cellophane of approximately A inch thickness. This was untreated and in this condition, permits smaller molecules such as water, sugar and salts to pass through, but not macro-molecules such as protein. To pass larger molecules such as porteins, the center tape may be perforated cellophane or a closely woven nylon cloth. The bottom tape was made of paper 1 /2 inches wide backed with a layer of polyethylene to give it wet strength. Other tapes tested as the bottom test tape were paper tapes with cotton thread woven in them and paper tapes impregnated with plastics on both edges of the paper to a distance of inch, leaving the center inch untouched. All were found satisfactory. A closely woven cloth made of cotton was also tried and found satisfactory as the test tape.

Example I .-Glucose in blood serum (enzymatically) To 200 ml. of N/20 phosphate buffer, pH 7 add 10 mg. of horseradish peroxidase and 250 mg. of glucose oxidase. Shake until dissolved. Now add 1 ml. of a 1% o-dianisidine solution in water and mix. Filter this solution and impregnate the test paper with it. Air dry the paper. Add 0.01 ml. of human blood serum to the paper with the confined spots from the automatic feeding device of FIG. or from an ultramicro pipet. The center tape in this case is untreated cellophane, premoistened, as shown in FIG. 1. The transfer and reaction zone is maintained at a temperature of 37 C. in this \case. Contact time in the chamber between tapes is ten minutes. The test tape, i.e., the reagent paper tape which now bears a pink stain is dried in the treating zone at 70 C. The filter used in the densitometer has a transmission maximum of 395 m The height of the peaks on the recording chart are a measure of the glucose concentration. Since the large I rum in the transfer and treating zone, i.e., drum 36 carries 20 spots, a determination will be available every 30 seconds.

Example II.Glac0se in blood serum (by chemical means) A 1% solution of potassium ferricyanide is acidified to a pH of 3 with dilute sulfuric acid. The test paper is dipped in this solution and air dried. Serum (0.02 ml.) is added to the confined spots and the procedure followed as in Example 11, using cellophane as the intermediate tape. Reaction time is ten minutes at 37.

10 The filter used in the densitometer is 540 mp. filter. The drying oven in the treating zone in this case as heated at C. to develop a blue color.

Example III .-Amin0 nitrogen in serum A solution is prepared of 20 mg. of ninhydrin and 10 mg. of hydrindantin dissolved in ml. of ethyl alcohol. To this solution is added 2 ml. of collidine and 2 ml. of glacial acetic acid. The reagent is sprayed on the reagent paper, i.e., test tape, which is then allowed to air dry. 0.02 ml. of serum is added to the confined spot paper. The central tape is cellophane as in Example II. Reaction time is 15 minutes in the chamber of the transfer and reaction zone and the paper is dried at 75 C. in the drying oven. The purple color develops in the drying oven of the treating zone. The filter in the densitometer is 520 m filter. The peak heights on the recording chart or the areas under the curves produced are a measure of the concentration of amino nitrogen in the serum.

Example lV.Calciam in serum An aqueous solution of muroxide is prepared in a 0.1 N solution of sodium carbonate or trisodium phosphate. The reagent paper, i.e., test tape is dipped into this solution and evaporated to dryness in a nitrogen atmosphere at 50 C. 0.2 ml. of serum is added to the confined spot paper, i.e., sample receiving tape. The center tape is cellophane as in the above examples. Reaction time is ten minutes. The drying chamber of the treating zone is at 60 C. The color developed is read with a 540 my. filter in the densitometer. Alizarin may be used in place of the muroxide in which case a 560 my. light filter is used in the densitometer.

Example V.Magnesiam in blood serum 75 mg. of Titan Yellow is dissolved in 2000 ml. of a 0.1% solution of polyvinyl alcohol. 10 grams of potassium carbonate is dissolved in this solution. The reagent paper is sprayed with this solution and allowed to dry. 0.05 ml. of serum is added to the confined spot. The center tape is cellophane. A 560 m filter is used in the densitometer. Reaction time is ten minutes and the reagent tape is dried at 60 C.

Example VI.Pr0tein in blood serum 1 gram of Ponceau 2R dye is dissolved in one liter water containing 1 ml. of glacial acetic acid. The reagent paper, i.e., test tape is soaked in the solution and allowed to dry. 0.01 ml. of serum is added to the confined spot. The center tape is of a porosity as obtained with finely woven nylon or cellophane which has been perforated with electrical sparks so as to let the whole serum through in a large number of fine droplets to the test tape. Reaction time is ten minutes at room temperature. Prior to passage through the dryer in the treating zone, the reagent paper test tape is allowed to run through a washing station where there is a solution of 10% acetic acid in water or a 0.1% solution of acetic acid in ethyl alcohol. This washes off the excess Ponceau 2R dye and leaves only the spots stained where the protein has come through the center tape. Passage through this wash solution is 15 minutes. The reagent paper test tape is now passed through the dryer in the treating zone at 70 C. and the spots read by the densitometer at 540 m Other dyes which stain protein such as amido-black may be substituted for the Ponceau 2R.

It is to be observed therefore, that the present invention provides for an assembly of fiat mediums useful in a method of placing a sample drop on one of the mediums, herein referred to as the test tape or test medium and which may contain a reagent. The method used includes the steps of placing a sample drop on a first medium, called the sample receiving tape or medium and which is absorbent, placing the test medium in a face to face relationship with the sample receiving medium, placing a third flat porous medium between these other two mediums, and, pressing down over the three medium assembly. These mediums can then be separated and the test medium which now contains some of the sample can then be passed through a reading zone and read. Advantageously, a non-porous backing, e.g., polyethylene can be placed or sprayed on the two outer mediums of the assembly. The invention therefore provides for an arrangement for chemical analysis comprising in combination, three fiat mediums, superimposed one on the other, the outer medium on the one side being absorbent and designed to receive a sample, the intermediate medium being porous, non-reactive and nonabsorbent so that a sample can pass therethrough, the outer medium on the other side being a test medium to which the sample is to be transferred in an evenly distributed spot. The sample receiving medium can be designed so as to form a confined spot and the test medium to which the sample is transferred may also have one or more confied spots thereon. In the commencial distribution of the invention, blanks, standard forming discs, and color charts can be provided to assist the persons performing the analysis.

Example VII .Tlal Lipids of serum 1 gram of oil red O dye is allowed to saturate 1 liter of 50% ethyl alcohol. The reagent paper is soaked in the dye solution and allowed to air dry. 0.01 ml. of serum is added to the confined spot. The center tape is perforated cellophane or perforated polyethylene or finely Woven nylori. The chamber in the transfer and reaction zone is maintained at 55 C. for 20 minutes. The excess dye is Washed off the test tape reagent paper by passing this tape through a 50% aqueous solution of isoprophyl alcohol maintained at a temperature of 50 C. with a washing time of twenty minutes. The test tape reagent paper is now dried in the drying oven. The stained lipids are read on the densitometer with a 540 m light filter. Other dyes such as Sudan black may be used to stain the lipids.

Example VlII.-Radi0active inorganic iodine in blood The reagent paper test tape is unstained. 0.01 ml. of blood is added to the confined spot. The center tape is untreated cellophane. The reaction time at room temperature is ten minutes and the drying temperature 70 C. for ten minutes. The reagent test tape is passed over a scintillation counter attached to a commercial recording device to integrate the counts and draw a graph of their intensity continuously. Curves obtained resemble the curves obtained with the colorimetric densitometer. The area under the curves or the peak heights are a measure of the concentration. In this case the organical- 1y bound iodine (bound to protein) does not pass the cellophane tape and may be separately counted for the protein bound radioactive iodine on the sampling tape.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction With preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be Within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

I claim:

1. An arrangement for chemical analysis, comprising in combination, three fiat strip mediums, superimposed one on the other, the outer medium on the one side being absorbent and designed to receive a sample, the intermediate medium being non-reactive and porous of a pore size such that it is permeable to water but molecules of a molecular weight higher than proteins cannot pass therethrough, the outer medium on the other side being a test medium to which the sample is to be transferred in an evenly distributed spot.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, said test medium being impregnated with a reagent design to react with the sample transferred thereto to produce a color suitable for evaluation on a densitometer.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, said absorbent medium designed to receive a sample being so constructed and designed as to form a confined spot of the sample.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, said absorbent medium designed to receive a sample being coated with a water repellant coating on the outer side, said medium being reversed so that said coating is on the inner side when receiving a sample.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, said test medium having a water repellant medium coated on the outer side thereof.

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, said test medium to which the sample is to be transferred having at least one confined spot thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,754 9/1938 Yagoda 23-253 2,249,867 7/ 1941 Snelling 23253 2,692,830 10/1954 Land 9629 2,918,033 12/1959 Snyder 23253 3,036,893 5/1962 Natelson 23253 MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

JAMES H. TAYMAN, I R, Examiner. 

1. AN ARRANGEMENT FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, THREE FLAT STRIP MEDIUMS, SUPERIMPOSED ONE ON THE OTHER, THE OUTER MEDIUM ON THE ONE SIDE BEING ABSORBENT AND DESIGNED TO RECEIVE A SAMPLE, THE INTERMEDIATE MEDIUM BEING NON-REACTIVE AND POROUS OF A PORE SIZE SUCH THAT IT IS PERMEABLE TO WATER BUT MOLECLEUS OF A MOLECULAR WEIGHT HIGHER THAN PROTEINS CANNOT PASS THERETHROUGH, THE OUTER MEDIUM ON THE OTHER SIDE BEING A TEST 